A new technology known as Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) has enabled a 46-year-old male patient with extensive varicose veins in both lower limbs leave the hospital on the same day of the procedure and start walking comfortably within 24 hours.

The patient, Indian national Mr. Arya Hussain was presented to Thumbay Hospital – Dubai, with bleeding from the dilated veins in right lower limb. He was also having pain and heaviness in the right lower limb, due to his medication condition.

He was examined by Dr. Ashok Gupta, Specialist Vascular Surgeon. Investigations with high-end ultrasound revealed a significant leakage from the valve, in the right thigh region.

In normal cases, such a case could be rectified only by a corrective procedure by the traditional open operative technique. In Thumbay Hospital – Dubai, the availability of the new minimally invasive Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) ruled out open surgery.

The team led by Dr. Ashok Gupta performed the RFA procedure under local anesthesia and sedation. The patient was discharged on the same day. The procedure involved using a catheter that’s heated up by radiofrequency energy to heat the vein and seal it off. Mr. Hussain was able to walk comfortably the very next day.

Speaking about the RFA procedure, Dr. Ashok Gupta said that the procedure involved very little pain and that it was absolutely patient friendly. “Earlier, the only proper treatment for serious varicose veins was “stripping”, wherein an incision was made on the patient’s thigh, and the complete vein removed. This use to be painful and required a few days of hospitalization,” said Dr. Ashok, adding, “RFA causes minimal discomfort after the procedure as well as fewer complications. It does not involve any cutting into the skin or use of invasive equipment. Another major advantage is that patients benefit from less waiting times compared to surgeries.”

He said that the success rate of the procedure was close to 98% worldwide.